A motorist ‘impaired by a cocktail of alcohol and drugs’ died after a crash, an inquest heard.

Sean Gilbert, 29, suffered head injuries when his Ford Fiesta crashed into woodland on Priory Lane in Macclesfield on September 12, last year.

An investigation found Mr Gilbert’s car had struck the kerb causing him to steer ‘excessively into the path of a Honda CRV travelling in the opposite direction around 9.30am.

An inquest at Macclesfield town hall on March 16 heard that Mr Gilbert, of Parkgate Road, Macclesfield, was also not been wearing a seat belt.

He was airlifted to Royal Stoke Hospital and diagnosed with a severe brain injury. He died on September 13.

Blood tests revealed Mr Gilbert was three times the drink drive limit at the time of the accident. Diazepam, cocaine, cannabis and amphetamine in his system would have ‘impaired’ his ability to drive, the inquest heard.

Mr Gilbert had spent the hours before the crash drinking and taking drugs, according to life-long friend James McNally in a statement.

At 8am on September 12, Mr Gilbert had driven his girlfriend and Mr McNally to a friend’s on Donagh Close, he said.

During that journey he had mounted the pavement and drifted onto the wrong side of the road a number of times, Mr McNally said.

Mr McNally said when they arrived he had demanded the car keys from Mr Gilbert – but he refused.

Mr Gilbert later reversed the car into a wall and concerned residents called the police, the inquest heard.

In a statement, resident Martin Moore said Mr Gilbert was ‘staggering all over the place’ and neighbours had urged Mr Gilbert not to get back in the car - but he drove off at speed.